With their season opener against Arizona State just two weeks away, the University of Utah held its first full-contact scrimmage Saturday afternoon in Price, with the offense and defense battling each other to a virtual tie.
The Utes matched their No. 1 offense against their No. 1 defense several times throughout the scrimmage, and, as Head Coach Ron McBride noted, "It was give and take on both sides. It was what I hoped to see. The contact was really good. The running backs all looked good. I liked the defense's ability to play well in all situations."Because of muddy field conditions - the result of a downpour the previous night - the Utes stuck to the running game most of the afternoon. Jamal Anderson, Utah's big fullback, smashed through a number of tackles while rushing for 40 yards on nine carries. Pierre Jones rushed for 31 yards on four carries, and Keith Williams had 11 yards on six carries. Newcomer Rob Hamilton ran five times for 42 yards and Henry Lusk six times for 23 yards.
Mike McCoy, Utah's new starting quarterback, ran for two touchdowns and completed six of 11 passes for 61 yards. No. 2 quarterback Harold Lusk completed just two of five passes for 13 yards and was intercepted twice. No. 3 quarterback Ryan Shea was two of seven for 34 yards.
"We were pretty sharp on offense for our first scrimmage," said offensive coordinator Rick Rasnick. "Our first two (strings) are talented. After that we've got to develop some depth. We need to develop our backup quarterbacks."
The Ute defense, led by veterans Sharrieff Shah and Luther Ellis, among many others, collected six sacks, all by different players. Ed Miller and Mark Swanson each had an interception.
INJURY REPORT: Several players missed much of this week's training camp or were limited because of injuries: wide receiver Curtis Marsh, defensive tackle Blaine Berger and defensive back Cedric Crawford all have sprained ankles. Jeff Kirkman is still recovering from off-season knee surgery, and Vince Lobendahn has a neck stinger.
Berger, who sprained his ankle playing volleyball just before two-a-days began, should be ready to practice by the middle of next week. Crawford, who sprained his ankle playing basketball, participated in much of Saturday's scrimmage.
Of all the injuries, Kirkman's has coaches most worried. They love his talent and want him on the field this season, but that might be expecting too much. He underwent major reconstructive knee surgery only eight months ago. "He's still sore," says trainer Bill Bean. "It will be another month, I think, before he's able to hit." Kirkman might be better off redshirting the season.
NEWS & NOTES: According to running back coach Sean McNabb, Pierre Jones and Keith Williams will split the tailback position "50-50." Says McNabb, "Pierre's the starter. He had a great spring practice. Keith was injured a bit and didn't do quite as well. I consider him 1A. Either is capable. Pierre is just a little ahead. The plan now is to play them both, but we haven't decided how we'll do that yet."
Williams, a senior, rushed for 1,076 yards two years ago, but injuries limited him to 532 last season. Meanwhile, Jones, another senior, rushed for 715 yards last season.
. . . Ute players enjoyed the cool, breezy and often rainy weather conditions in Price this week, but the coaches weren't happy about it. "The weather's too nice," says head coach Ron McBride. "We want it hotter. Our first game is in Arizona."
. . . Thursday morning's controlled scrimmage was interrupted several times by fights. After several skirmishes, Head Coach Ron McBride stopped the scrimmage and called the team together at midfield. "I told them that it's great to compete, but to do it within the rules," said McBride. "They've got to control their tempers. This is a real explosive team. There are a lot of strong personalities. They're real aggressive."
. . . As usual, the Utes have made a number of position changes during the off-season, just as they have every spring and fall since McBride arrived. Sam Rhodes moved from cornerback to safety, and Ed Miller from cornerback to safety. Mark Swanson, who started at safety last season after spending two years as a starting cornerback, is back at cornerback.
No one has moved around more than Rick Verbalaitis, who is playing his third position in three years. After spending one season as an offensive lineman and last season as a tight end, he will start at defensive end this year.
. . . How talented is redshirt freshman Harold Lusk, Utah's No. 2 quarterback? "He could start at any position on the field for us right now," says McBride.